interviews: Guisela Chiarella
As Milan ushered in a comprehensive smoking ban in outdoor public spaces on January 1, 2025, all eyes are on Trieste to see if it might follow suit.
Milan’s new regulation, which prohibits smoking in streets, parks, and other public areas unless individuals maintain at least 10 meters of distance from others, represents a bold step toward improving air quality and encouraging healthier habits. The city has set fines ranging from €40 to €240 for violations, though electronic cigarettes remain exempt.
This policy is part of a growing trend in Italy’s northern cities. Turin recently enacted its own restrictions, banning smoking within five meters of others outdoors unless explicitly permitted. Turin’s rules also prohibit smoking in the presence of children or pregnant women, covering cigars, pipes, and e-cigarettes alike.
In Trieste, the possibility of adopting similar measures has sparked debate. Advocates for a smoking ban argue that it would enhance public health and make shared spaces more enjoyable for everyone. “Smoke-free areas allow families and individuals to fully enjoy parks and other public spaces without the nuisance of secondhand smoke,” said one local resident.
However, not everyone is on board. Critics of the idea question the practicality of enforcing such a ban and view it as an infringement on personal freedoms. “A smoking ban could create unnecessary tensions,” said another resident. “We need balance, not blanket rules.”
Trieste’s Mayor Roberto Dipiazza has yet to take a firm stance but indicated that the city is carefully monitoring the outcomes of similar policies in other cities. “We are committed to the well-being of our residents,” Dipiazza remarked. “Any decision we make will consider the needs of all citizens and the feasibility of enforcement.”
While Trieste already has some smoking restrictions, including bans at bus stops and near schools, expanding these rules citywide would align the city with Milan’s ambitious approach. Whether Trieste will join the wave of northern Italian cities tightening outdoor smoking rules remains to be seen.
For now, the city is weighing its options, balancing public health priorities with individual freedoms as the debate continues to smolder.
